The U.S.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) exists in order to help communities that are facing natural disasters like hurricanes and floods. But the Trump administration just announced it is planning to use FEMA in order to give $608 million to U.S. states -
not for weather-related emergencies, but to build even more detention camps to lock immigrants in. And all this comes at the same time as the administration is also trying to
cut $1 billion from FEMA funds for local first responders, preparation for actual natural disasters, and cybersecurity improvements. You know, the things FEMA is
actually supposed to do.
Demand an end to the Trump administration's "detention support grant program." FEMA is supposed to help people, not lock them up in camps! Sign the petition!These detention centers are
not jails. They are not intended for criminals, and are outside of the criminal justice system. People do not go here after having a chance to plead their case to a judge. They are also
not deportations. Deportations were already cruel and often happening without due process, but detentions are a whole different story.
In this case, people don't even get to have their freedom.
They're not sent out of the country - but kept in the U.S. indefinitely, locked up in camps with overcrowding, unsanitary conditions, no due process, and lack of medical care.
They don't know when they'll get out. They don't know what will happen to them afterwards. They only know that they're being held against their will.
And Trump wants U.S. states to build many, many more of these facilities. He's been very clear that the reason is because
he wants to increase the number of immigrants captured and held captive - again, neither truly imprisoned, nor deported. Just... kept. In camps. For who knows how long.
There is no way that, as human beings with consciences, we can possibly accept or condone such obvious cruelty. In the future, which side of history do you want to remember being on? We absolutely MUST speak out now. Sign the petition to demand an end to FEMA's "detention support grant program"!